Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8369, USA.
Am J Public Health. 2011 Jul;101(7):1192-7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.300023. Epub 2011 May 12.
The United States has 51 state health departments and thousands of local health agencies. Their size, structure, and authority differ, but they all possess unique abilities to address obesity. Because they are responsible for public health, they can take various steps themselves and can coordinate efforts with other agencies to further health in all policy domains. I describe the value of health agencies' rule-making authority and clarify this process through 2 case studies involving menu-labeling regulations. I detail rule-making procedures and examine the legal and practical limitations on agency activity. Health departments have many options to effect change in the incidence of obesity but need the support of other government entities and officials.
美国有 51 个州卫生部门和数千个地方卫生机构。它们的规模、结构和权限各不相同,但都拥有独特的能力来解决肥胖问题。由于它们负责公共卫生,因此可以自行采取各种措施,并可以与其他机构协调努力,在所有政策领域促进健康。我描述了卫生机构制定规则的权力的价值,并通过涉及菜单标签法规的 2 个案例研究阐明了这一过程。我详细介绍了制定规则的程序,并审查了对机构活动的法律和实际限制。卫生部门有许多选择可以改变肥胖的发生率,但需要其他政府实体和官员的支持。